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Beethoven was a master at opening a concerto. He understood that the
concerto is a form of theater. He played with the expectations of his
audience. He would shock them. Surprise them. And in doing so, create
original masterpieces. Beethoven made great music by breaking the rules.
And nowhere does he play by his own rules more dramatically than in the
hushed, poetic opening of his 4th Piano Concerto.

Beethoven composed this groundbreaking concerto in 1805-06., and performed
it in a private concert at Prince Lobkowitz's residence in Vienna, before
giving the public premiere at the Theater an der Wien on December 22,
1808. No concerto before, by Beethoven or anyone else, began as the G
major does, with the solo instrument playing unaccompanied in a sweet
and soft manner. The G major Concerto was the last such work Beethoven
composed for his own use. He gave the public premiere at the Theatre an
der Wien on December 22, 1808. It was his last appearance as soloist with
an orchestra.